1 Corinthians 9:10
Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
Original Language Analysis
δι'
For
G1223
δι'
For
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
2 of 25
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
πάντως
it altogether
G3843
πάντως
it altogether
Strong's:
G3843
Word #:
4 of 25
entirely; specially, at all events, (with negative, following) in no event
λέγει
saith he
G3004
λέγει
saith he
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
5 of 25
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
δι'
For
G1223
δι'
For
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
6 of 25
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
γὰρ
no doubt
G1063
γὰρ
no doubt
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
8 of 25
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἐγράφη
this is written
G1125
ἐγράφη
this is written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
9 of 25
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
10 of 25
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐπ'
in
G1909
ἐπ'
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
11 of 25
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
ὀφείλει
should
G3784
ὀφείλει
should
Strong's:
G3784
Word #:
13 of 25
to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should); morally, to fail in duty
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
22 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
μετέχειν
should be partaker
G3348
μετέχειν
should be partaker
Strong's:
G3348
Word #:
23 of 25
to share or participate; by implication, belong to, eat (or drink)
Historical Context
Ancient Palestinian agriculture depended on seasonal rains and hard labor. Plowing rocky soil with wooden plows pulled by oxen was back-breaking; threshing in summer heat was exhausting. Workers endured hardship with hope of harvest—a universal human experience Paul leverages to explain ministerial support. His audience would immediately grasp the analogy: just as farmers expect to eat from their fields, ministers expect provision from their congregations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the concept of "hope" connect labor with reward in Paul's argument?
- What is the typological relationship between agricultural work and spiritual ministry?
- How does this principle protect both ministers (from exploitation) and churches (from mercenary motives)?
Analysis & Commentary
Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? Paul intensifies his argument: the ox-muzzling law was written primarily (Greek pantōs, πάντως, "altogether, certainly") for human application. For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. Agricultural workers labor with expectation of reward—the plowman anticipates harvest; the thresher expects to share the grain.
Paul universalizes the principle: all labor should yield fruit to the laborer. The repetition of "hope" (elpis, ἐλπίς) emphasizes forward-looking expectation grounded in justice. This is not greed but recognition that God designed work to sustain workers. Applied to ministry: those who sow spiritual seed (the gospel) and thresh spiritual grain (discipleship) should partake of material support from those they serve. The logic is covenantal—reciprocity between spiritual service and material provision.